About Kidzone
At Kidzone we aim to provide a stimulating learning environment that will encourage all children to explore, investigate and learn through first hand experiences.
Shotley Village Playgroup began in 1964. It moved to its present location in 1984. During that time it has developed into a completely new childcare setting. In November 2004 Shotley Kidzone opened its new premises next to the school and in 2013 we opened the Butterfly Room.
In 2024, we were offered the opportunity to open up an old setting in the next village, so after some hard work, In October 2025 we closed the butterfly Room and opened Chelmo Kidzone
Kidzone provides care for children aged 3 months to 11 years. We provide care across our two settings Shotley Kidzone and Chelmo Kidzone.
The times are subject to change, so please contact the preferred setting direct.
Breakfast Club:
7:45 - 8:45 am
Children aged 3 months - 11 years - Chelmo Kidzone
Children aged 2 years - 11 years - Shotley Kidzone
We provide a range of different breakfast foods such as cereals, fruit, yoghurt and toast. The children can play with a range of activities and resources before school starts. A member of staff will walk your child to school and preschool children will remain.
Preschool Sessions:
Children aged 12 months - 4.11 years
Children aged 3 months - 4 -11 years
3 month – Chelmo Kidzone
2 years – Shotley Kidzone
8:45 - 11:45 am
8:45 - 1pm (Please provide your child with a packed lunch)
8:45 - 3pm
Afterschool Club:
3 - 4.30pm/5.30pm
Children aged 3 months - 11 years.
2 years – Shotley Kidzone
3 months – Chelmo Kidzone
A member of staff will collect your child/ren from school, they are offered a drink and a range of snacks, such as, biscuits, breadsticks, fruit, yoghurt and cheese. We offer plenty of activities for your child to enjoy after a busy day at school. Whether that be running around in the garden or being creative at the table. Your child can choose from a range of games and activities, and we will cater for their interest and hobbies.
We offer a more substantial snack again at 4.45pm
Shotley Kidzone provides a friendly, caring and welcoming environment where children can feel safe and secure. We try hard to provide a home from home environment to create an atmosphere where children will thrive and by working in partnership with parents/carers to ensure we can meet the individual needs of the individual child. We offer an environment that is stimulating, safe and structured so the children are encouraged to explore, investigate, discover and challenge themselves and thrive through play.
Our dedicated team will ensure that the children are nurtured, cared for and educated in an environment that develops their potential, whilst becoming independent and active learners.
Inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. We celebrate diversity and provide tailored support for all children, including those with SEND or additional needs.
We value strong partnerships with parents and carers, working together through open communication, Tapestry learning journals, shared observations, development statements, parent consultations and stay and play sessions to ensure every child reaches their full potential.
Staffing
At Kidzone we believe staff are the key to a successful setting.
To ensure we offer outstanding quality we believe in employing a team who all hold the same beliefs and values to provide a high standard of care with wonderful opportunities for the children to develop. All of our staff at Kidzone are qualified and dedicated for caring for your children. All staff and volunteers are DBS (disclosure barring service) checked, ensuring their suitability to work with children. Staff regularly update their training, including paediatric first aid, food hygiene and safeguarding children.
We operate a Key Person System throughout the setting. This enables staff to support your child's individual needs and build a strong partnership with you, the parents, as we fully understand that you are the child's first educator. The key person will be there to support the child and family during the transition period of settling into the nursery and this support will continue throughout their time in the group.
Committee
Chairperson : Therasa Butcher
Kidzone is run as a registered charity, lead by a dedicated group of volunteer committee members.
It is the job of the committee to work with the Managers to support the day to day running of the setting, make strategic decisions and raise awareness of the setting. Alongside the staff the committee supports the running of events and fundraises such as disco, toddles and many others to help financially support the setting.
Kidzone cannot function without a full committee which will include core roles and at least three general members to achieve a quorum.
Kidzone is an association with trustees and an anually elected committee. The setting is aligned to the pre-school Learning Alliance constitution and follow guidance as set out by this body.
If you are interested in joining please speak to a member of staff.
Links with the community
Kidzone has great links with the local community. We are lucky enough to be surrounded by a wealth of opportunities around both our setting, which we embark on exploring and using. We regularly go for walks, visiting the farm and shops. We visit our local residental care home, spring lodge in woolverstone , taking the older children on the bus to play games and activities with the residents.
We have great links with Shotley and Chelmondiston Primary School, This enables a great transition for those children moving onto reception class.
Kidzone has been working closely with Fareshare since 2019, this has included being able to offer a Pantry Scheme since April 2020 which is open to all of our parents and carers, which offers a range of food and toiletry items. We also use this scheme to provide our meals and snacks for the children at both settings. Through using Fareshare it has helped us as a charity to be able to provide a wide range of healthy foods for the children, it also helps prevent food wastage which is the ethos behind Fareshare.
Shotley
Email:info@shotleykidzone.co.uk
Phone:01473 787873
Chelmo
Email:info@shotleykidzone.co.uk
Phone:01473 788122
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